GAZA – The temporary ceasefire in Gaza has
provided a crucial window of opportunity for farmers to salvage what remains of
their olive harvest. After enduring weeks of relentless bombardment, many were
forced to abandon their lands, resulting in severe damage. According to
Al-Mamlaka TV, the Israeli Occupation Forces destroyed, drove, and forcibly
expelled farmers from their properties.
اضافة اعلان
"The war has utterly destroyed us; there
is virtually no production... all the fruits and trees are on the ground,"
lamented Fathi Abu Salah, a farmer from Gaza.
Abu Salah revealed that under normal
circumstances, they would harvest enough olives to fill 12 containers, but this
year, they anticipate filling just one due to the extensive damage. Compounding
their challenges is a shortage of fuel essential for transporting olives to the
nearest press.
"As a farmer, I utilized these six days
of the ceasefire to collect the olives. I tried every available means during
these six days despite the difficulties," shared Abu Salah.
The season has passed
At the Wafi press in Khan Yunis, olive oil
pressing machines faced weeks of delays. To transport sacks of olives to the
press, farmers resorted to using donkey-drawn carts. Mohammed Wafi, the press
director, explained that the press operation requires electricity and solar
power, both of which are scarce in the region. He recounted how his olive
harvest fell to the ground before he could reach his land to gather it. Wafi
pointed out that some farmers couldn't harvest any olives, while others managed
only a small fraction of their anticipated yield.
In lamentation, he concluded, "The season has passed."
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